Page 100 of Heir of Darkness

“It’s not impossible,” she whispered.

“I’m not capable of hating you. I’ve never been. Even at our worst, I couldn’t find myself hating you. It would feel like I was hating a piece of myself. I don’t think there’s a single thing you could do that would ever make me not forgive you,” Valerio admitted.

“That feels terrifying.”

“It is terrifying.” And it was. Knowing he was in so deep that no matter what she did, he would be able to forgive and still be able to love her, it scared him. It also empowered him in a way he didn’t know it could.

“But you still feel that way despite how scary it feels?”

“I do because I know you’re a good person, Luna. I know you would never hurt me and I know you would never want to hurt anyone you love. And because of that, I find myself able to trust you with every fiber of my being,” he said.

“What if I’m not so good?” she asked. She sniffled, attempting to turn her face away, but he held her chin. Her eyes broke through every wall he could ever imagine putting up. “Would you still love me?”

He couldn’t help the small smirk that found his lips. The way she questioned his love for her was humorous. “You could stabme in the chest with an actual knife and I would still love you. I would say I’ll love you for the rest of our lives, but I know I’ll love you long after that too.”

“Swear that you’ll never change that answer,” she begged. “Tell me that no matter what happens, you'll always feel that way.”

The raw vulnerability in her voice pushed murderous intent through his veins. The way she had loved so many people just to be burned by them had made her this person: someone who was scared to trust and to love. He would always be there to mend the broken pieces, and to love and defend her with every inch of his soul he had to give.

“I swear it,” he said. “I love you, now and always.”

“I love you too,” she said in a whisper.

Valerio’s eyes widened, his heart skipping a beat. “What did you say?”

“I said I love you too,” she said, louder this time. “I hated thinking that you would never get to hear me say it and I won’t live with regrets anymore. Whatever happens, I love you, Valerio Vitali.”

There were a handful of days that meant something to Valerio. All of them included Luna, but this moment, right here, was by far his favorite. He had known she’d felt this way far longer than she tried to let on, but she needed time. He refused to force it on her. But now, it was real.

She loved him. Luna loved him.

He couldn’t stop himself from kissing her, sealing her admittance the only way he could think of. He wouldn’t let her take it back now, no way in hell.

“I love you,” he said, pressing another kiss to her lips. “I love you.” A kiss to her left cheek. “I love you.” A kiss to the right cheek. “I love you.” A kiss to her nose. “I love you.” A kiss on her lips.

“Wait, remind me one more time,” she said. The glow in her eyes brought her back to life.

“I’ll remind you for the rest of our lives,” he said. “Say it one more time.”

“I love you.”

“Okay, one more time.”

“I love you.” She laughed, kissing him. “Now you can’t leave me, ever.”

“Never,” he promised. “Our lives are going to change. I promise you what happened that night will never happen again.”

The smile fell off her face. “In this world, you can’t promise that it won’t happen again.”

“I can. I let my guard down, but it won’t happen again,” he said. “I will take care of my father. As for yours, just say the word.”

She swallowed hard. “Please, think it through.”

“I already have. I have waited what seems like a lifetime to be with you, Luna. To give you the life we both want. I’m not waiting anymore.”

“What are you talking about?” she asked, watching as he stood. “Where are you going?”

“Come on, Mrs. Vitali,” he said, helping her up. “We have a wedding to plan.”

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